Device for straightening freight car ends and the like



March 20, 1945. P. G. STULTZ DEVICE FOR STRAIGHTENING FREIGHT CAR ENDSAND THE LIKE Filed Nov. 5, 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 'Vl/Allllz .March 20,1945. G sTuLTz DEVICE FOR STRAIGHTENING FREIGHT CAR ENDS AND THE LIKEFiled Nov. 5, 1 942 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 attorncgs.

3nventor March 20, 1945. p STULTZ 2,371,659

DEVICE FOR STRAIGHTENING' FREIGHT CAR ENDS AND THE LIKE 5 Sheets-.Sheet3 Filed Nov. 5, 1942 March 20, 1945; 2,371,659

DEVICE FOR STRAIGHTENING FREIGHT CAR ENDS AND THE LIKE P. G. STULTZFiled New 5, 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 1 March 20, 1945. P. G. sTuLTz DEVICEFOR STRAIGHTENING FREIGHT CAR ENDS AND THE LIKE Filed Nov. 5,19425.Sheets-Sheet 5 Buncntor 2 C1 SZ'ZLZZZ/ 7 Patented Mar. 20, 1945 H 7' 3a UNITED," STATES PATENT OFFICE DEVICE FOR STRAIGHTEN ING FREIGHT CARENDS AND TI-IE LIKE Posy G. Stultz; Roanoke, Va, assignor to Charles M.OBcyle, Wilmington, Del.

Application November 5, 1942, Serial No. 464,634

12 Claims." (01. res-as) The present invention relates to, improvementsin devices for straightening freight car ends and the like. i T

In railroadingpractice, in the transportation of lading by freight cars,due to the momentum or inertia of the load, stopping and starting,Particularly sudden starting or stopping, of the freight cars has been acause of the load shifting against the ends of the cars, which areordinarily made of sheet steel, with the consequent bending ordistortion of the ends, generally manifested in an outward bulgedcondition; and

it has become a problem to restore these bulged ends to normal straightoriginal condition. l

Cars thus damaged must be cut out of the train for restoration whichinvolves loss of use ofthe car and its facilities for the duration ofthe repair period, as well as expense in labor and materials in therepair; andsuch damaged cars are rejected by shippers at points of loading because it has been found that the outwardly plates may beaccomplished in situ, the application of the bending force externally ofthe car, and without having to dismantle the carer any of its parts, inwhich the steps of the method are simply and expeditiously carried outby not more than two operatives, and whereinrthe tremendousp'ushingforce required to bend the metal, which would otherwise move the car onthe rails to the progressive diminishing of this bending force, isconverted in a reactionaryway to impose upon the same car or work anequal and oppositereacting pulling force which will negative and oiTsetthe pushing force, whereby the car may be operated on withoutthe use ofthebrake. 1 a r The invention also contemplates the provision of asimple form of triangulated structure, two

bulged ends preventtightloading of the carin a manner to preventshifting of the merchandise'; and shifting will ordinarily damalge thegoods and prevent their sale as first class articles at current marketprices.

Machines have been proposed, but with small success, to deal with thiscondition but such machines are large and cumbersome, require to bemanned by a, large number of, operatives, are

not easily transportable from job to job and have numerous otherdiiiiculties all of which are known to those skilled in this art.

Then again these bent and [distorted steel end plates require enormouspressure to restore the same. Such pressure is not easily obtained atyards where repairs of this kind are ordinarily done, as availabletools, such as jacks; cranes and the like, are insufilcient to developsuch enormous pressure required for the coldbendingof steel plates. ofthis heavy gauge, l

It is an object of the invention generally to overcome the abovedifliculties and to provide a straightening device of anexceedinglysimple construction with feweasily transportable parts, all capable ofbeing set upiand operated byfnot more than two men, whichwill beinexpensive in its construction, maintenance and operation, and

quickly applied to many damaged cars in succes sion, whereby this typeof repair may be so'takenf care of as to eliminate itas a majortroublein the maintenance of freight car transportation. Another objectof the invention is to provide an improved device bywhich the'coldbending of heavy gauge steel railway-freight car end sides of which areconnected'tothe work or car, I

so constructed'and arranged that a railroad jack,

crane or other liftingdevice of the capacity ordinarily found in,freight and repair yards maybe. utilized and found sufilcient for thepurpose in that its power is multiplied manybtimes by the simplearrangement and application of the device.

device in a position of use and under pressure. so

, With the foregoing and other objectsin view, the invention; will bemore fully described hereinafter, andwill bemore particularly pointedout in the claims appended hereto.

, In the drawings, wherein like symbols-refer to like or correspondingparts throughout the several views, a,

Figure l is a perspective view of a'device constructed and applied inaccordance with thelpresent invention, shown in the position of use asapplied to the end of a-freight car. a

- Figure 2-is an enlarged bottom plan view of I jacking head.

Figure 3 is a longitudinal central section taken on the line 33 ofFigure 2. i

Figure4 is aside elevation of a form of pin "for adjustably securing thepull orholding bar in the jacking head. i 1 l it Figure 5 is a sideelevation of a-form' of swivel member; of which thereare preferably twmmounted rotatably in the jacking head and in which the arms are pivoted.l l i a l Figure 6 is an edge view of the same. 1 i l 1 Figure '7 is anside elevation ofthe improved 5 Figure 8 is a top plan view. of thesame.

Figure 9 is a plan view of a form of pull or holding bar employed. 4

I, F re -l0 is a longitudinal edge view ofthe samewith parts broken awayand parts'shown inf section.

wholly by figures showing the method and principle ofoperation of thetriangulated structure with refer-.

ence to the bending operations as power applied.

Figure 17 is a fragmentary top plan view-of modified form of device inwhich ball and socket universal connections are" made between the"jacking head and bending arms and in which the referred to the" .thefreight car.

axes of the two companion holes 44 to intersect at substantially rightangles the longitudinal cen- 'ter line of the slot 43 toward the car endof the jacking head 42. At opposite sides of this center line are theeyes or holes 45 made vertically through the jacking head. Such jackinghead is also formed on its lower face with a socket 46 formed by acollar welded or otherwise secured to the lower surface of thejfjackinghead preferably offset from the center thereof away from The retainingwall or collar of this socket 46 may be round, square, rectangular or ofany desired form which will make it adapt- .able for .cooperation to fitover and about the head of a jack 4! or some other instrument by [whichthe .necessary' power may be applied to exert a lifting force againstthe outer end portion device is equipped for use with anoverheadcraneinstead of a jack.

Figure 18 is a side elevation of the device shown inFigure 17,.withparts broken. away and parts shown in section.

Figure 19 is a vertical transverse section taken on the line Iii- 13 ofFigure 18. 1 Figure 20 is atop plan view, on an qenlarged scale;showingthe'lugs and anti-spreading chains. Figure 121-is a cross sectiontaken on the line 2- i--2 in Figure '1. I v Figure -22:is aside-elevation, with parts broken away and parts shown in-sectio-n, of ajack'and jacking head with a universal connection therebetween Figure 23is-a sideyiew-showing a device modihad for application to the side .of afreightcar. Figure 24 is a perspective view of thesame.

.- Fi ure 25, is atop plan .viewof a further modified formofthedevice.

' Figure 2611s a; side elevation ofthe same.

.JFigirreZFZ..is:a..fragmentary end view of one of the external-armsshowing a method of forming aballhead. tReferring more. particularly.tomthe drawings,

designates; the railway rails on which a box. or

otherflexiblecormection 31 may be=trainedvover the coupler shank 35withitsvends brought down and terminating in clamps 38! adapted to. beremovably secured to the rails 30. Thisschain will be of; suitableselected strength-to resistlifting of the car body on its trucksin.response to the errormouslifting pressureisdevelopeclsby the; improveddez icei Where the car is heavily. loaded .su'chr chain 31 will not berequired.

A. pull orholding bar 39,. shown more particularly in Figures. 9 and110, is provided. at. one of. its preferably flattened andreinforced.ends withz a perforation 40 to receive. the knuckle pin 34iby which thebar-39. is anchored. to the car orother work. The. bar 3.9 .isiurther.provided, at itsother preferably flattened end with a seriesOf.apertures.

4| to fitjslidinslyand jadjustabl-y through. a slot 43in. an adjustablejacking head 42,, shown more particularly in Figures 2 and. 3... Such.jackingas by welding, at

head is provided. with. holes44- in both walls at oppositesidesrof the."slot 43 'and along long i tudinal center line which causes thecoincident of :the bar 39.

Referring more particularly to Figure 4, a pin 48 is supplied of a formto fit through the pair of holes 44 on the center line of-the jackinghead 42 and through an aperture 41 of the pull or holding bar 39 that ispresented at the time. By

withdrawing pin 48 thejacking head 42 may he slid on the bar 39. towardor from the car to change the ratio ofleverage. When the pin 48 isreinserted it will retain the jacking head 42 in the newly adjustedposition. The pin head 49 receives .the free end 'of the chain or thelike 50 anchored, asat 51,.upon the upper part of such jacking head asby welding. This chain 50 is loose so as not to interfere with theinsertion and Withdrawal-of the pin..'48,.but1it retains the pin captiveagainst loss and confusion and assures that the. .pin 48 is always athand when needed. One such pin 48 is supplied.

Referring, more particularly to Figures 5 and 6, swivel bolts,preferably two in number, aresupplied,.having', plain shanks 52receivable through and, retainable inthe'holes 45 in the jacking head42. and of a length to project below the jackingv head, where theprojecting portions of the .shanks are: threaded, as shown at 53, toreceive nuts '54 by which thebolts are held secureIy on the jacking head42 but enabled to freely rotate on the vertical axes of the bolts 52'.

The. bolts. have flat heads 55' pierced by horizontal eyes 56.. The.heads are adapted to be received of. theexter'nalarms. The slots 5! inthe external arms 6| constitute bifurcated portions which straddle thefiat swivel heads 55. The bifurcated ends are, pierced'by perforations58, two. in number, for eachfenternai' arm GI used. The two.perforationsifili' are in line and with their axes substantially atright angles to the axis of the. tubular external arm 61' made ofmetallic pipe or the like. Through these registering. perforations 58'and thrhugh the included eye-5E of a swivel bolt .52 passes a pin 60'.The walls of the spaced perforations 58' engage the Shank of the pin 60at remote axially displaced sections and 't'husprovid'e a doubleresistance against shearing,jstresses which may devolve on such. .pinBlli'ncidentto the tremendous power developed and. transmitted; from-thepull or holding .bar .391 upwardly to. the armsjfil... Where two armsareproyided, two pinslill will 'be needed. heads 10f these pinsanewelded' to the free ends of chains .62 which chainsaareanchored,pointsindicatedat. '63. on the externalarms. 6.1L, I;

Referring againLtaFiLguIe-II,fi1lers-59 of metal onotherrnateriall maybeplacedthe lower bifurcated endsgofjthetubular externalarms. 6| togametereinforce and strengthenrthe same where weak-U enedby the slot 51 and'the perforations 58. In-;- asmuch as the axes on which .the bolts 52swivel are vertical and the axes of the inserted pins. 60

substantially horizontal theaexternal arms 6|- the open slots 65. Theupper ends of, the ex-. ternal arms are provided with aligning pairs ofperforations 66 and 61 formed any desired'distance apart along: thelength of-:the external arms 6|. l

, Through the upper ends of :the external arms areadiustably. fittedinternal arms-68 of; tubular:

' metallic or other desired; construction. Such in-I.

ternal arms 68 are traversed at predetermined intervals by pairs ofaligning. holes 69%,; two pairs of which are. adapted toregisterwith thetwo pairs of holes 66 and fi 'l, so that pins 69 may enter suchregistering or aligning holes and se-1 cure the telescoping adjustedposition: of the arms;

which determinestheoverall lengtheof. such arms from theapex of thetriangle at the jacking head 42 to the upper ends'of the internal arms;68 which ends swivelly carry the shoes as shown in Figures 13 and 14.;l t

The shoes may be of any. suitable. formgone embodiment of which consistsof. a web weld-.

ed along the inner portion of the trahsversearc of a partcylindricalshoe tread- H fitted'with; spaced rows of burrs. I2 orother-forms of rough surfacing elements to enhance the gripping ac otherthird siderof the triangle a1 cisithe ne sideand 98ithe other side;99rep-i resentstheline of :the car end or the carside orxofxanyxmetalorother work 'to which the deviceis applied; .Thesehdiagrams :Figures 15andl6: show.roughly the action of the device which is mainlytriangularinformwith thelow erside represented by the". bar 39; and with the oneside 91. represented by' the pushing .orbending arms. The work99to-which the free ends of the sides 91and '98 are applied forms the;

The jack or other lifting pressure is applied approximately at the.apex. 96 as indicated by the arrow and approximatelyrat right angles tothe. plane o'f.the.lower side 98. This causes the tri1 I angle to betilted or;rotated slightly from the initial. positioni illustratedFigure 1 5 to the position shown in Figure 16, which is possibly exaggerated for the purpose of clearness. This tilting of thetriangulardevice causes the pushing arm or arms to be forced toward the car end 99or. other work and creates a corresponding pull on the lower side 98.Inasmuch as the lower side isconnected to the car or other work thepushing and pulling forces applied to the car will be compensating,olfsetting or neutralizing inJtheireiTect on the car. Thus while oneforce is tending to move the car in one direction the other force'isjust as effectively applied to move it in the other direction. This willprevent the car fr0mwa1king away" from the applied pressure of .thebending arms. in other words it will keep the work upto thebendingpress'ure.

There is possibly an advantage in anchoring the lower side, as in thecase of the bar 39 to I the couplenheadinasmuch as the enormous presmenttransversely of the length of the arms and i in position to registerwith the perforations 13 of the shoe webs. Pins 16 are adapted to passthrough these aligning perforations to pivotally couple the shoes to.thearms with the axis of the pivots or pinsxlG being substantiallyvertical so that nomatterv what the swivel angle of. the

tions SI; and similar chains may be weldedto the pins 16 and tortheiinternal armsections 68, if desired, although the .verticalpositionofthe pins 16-Will tend to hold these pinsin place gravitatlona1ly.- :v

In Figure 12 a filler or plug .19 is shown mount- I ed in theouter freeend of the inner telescoping arm section 68 to reinforce and strengthenthe tubular construction, against weaknesses which might otherwise occurbecause of the slotting 14 and. the perforating I5. i V

"Chains 8B and 8i have ends welded, to the external arm sections 6|adjacentthe lugs 64.

The free ends of such chainscarry hooks 82 and 83 adapted to engagelinks of-the companion chaintwhen in the overlapped position. The

slots 65 of thelugs 64 are wide enough to receive the links of thechains when vertically disposed so that an adjacent horizontallydisposed link will abut against the lug and prevent the chain from beingdrawn throughthe slot 65 such as would enable the arms to spread apart.

' Referring more particularly to Figures 15 and 16, 96 designates therapex of a triangle of which such an extent as to place the draft spring36 under compression.- As is well known this re- .quires a tremendousforce, as for instance the draft of manyvheavily laden freightcars. Thereaction of the compressedspring 36 will add its effectto the 'pushingarms. The lifting force provided by the jackor other method will be 1preferably applied at approximately theapex ori the angle-between theupper and lower sides.

Thefurther this-force is applied awayfrom the apex will requiregreaterrigidity in the bar 39 to resist the bending strains in the bar39'created by the lifting or raising movement? These strainsare at aminimum at the apex of the triangle. Also the most satisfactory'resultswill be obtained if thejack or otherlifting force moves atapproximately'right angles to the plane upper side or arm.

The jackor crane simply furnishes the power. These elements areavailable in all railroad yards and need not be transported with thedevice which is of minimum weight, can be handled easilyand admits offolding so'thatit can be easily transported on a handtruck. p t

i To. cold-press endcorrugated sheets the same requires a pressure-orfierce in. excess of 200M115..-

, lacks and other tools available inirailroad yards lackthisntrenienduous force. The triangulated device.gneatlymultipliestheforce. oi the jack so. that itis easily able.- to accomplishthe Wc'zrk.-

I Straighteningcorrugatedsheets oithe; car, which. is composed of everyheavy sheet, requires: a pressure :to. be exerted when the sheet isvcoldgreater than isnordinarily ayailable i wa railroad car plant.v Theleverage exerted bythe. triangular device. of thisinvention lenableswapower'unit of reasonable. size generally .tound around; railroad carplants, namely a jack-b1 150;

tons, to achieve this purposel.

To do; this. work economically a. canon rails without the brake applied.01" other.

to.- prevent. the car from moving, it islimportant that the. fulcrumpoint should be. on..the.-.:car

where a. pressure oifia hundredthousandpnunds or. more. is; being.exerted on: the bentsurface, fulcrum. preventingmovement of. the caraway from the. arms at the point where the work is; being done. a

The device can be worked. without damage to the anchor points at. theside of; the car.hccauae the. side sheets of the car are. of. muchlighter construction and longer distances: are. involved between the.points where; the sheets are an.-. chored, so that less. power andleverage is re. quired. The fulcrum; .is where thez'bar 39: con.'-;

nests. at. with the 'coupler. The distance loser irom the fulcrum towthe-point of. applica-. tion of the force than between the tu-lcrumandthe point of application of the power.. .Itiisl'preF; ferred that Wherea. rigid bar dais employed; it ill have a looserflt on theknuckle:.pin-..3A to. a ow the outer end ot the. bar 39; tolrisel. How-Wever, there. is approximately 3:i slack in; the:

coupler and the c upler can rise-approximately M; of aninchinthecarrier.

Furthermore, in connection. with the-method, the. steel plates. arepressed cold.- byv both pulling and: pu hing at. the same time torcnder'same; ub nt ly mmovable. durin the; applicationof the pressure;The shoes; apply the pressuneo ly at'the po nts where the bends-on;bulges ccur. ter the, bending-a5 sledge: hammer-or.

ac -us al desired local area: endior. side of the:

can The roughened shoes where sco'rru.=

lift

o e her heavy tool isused tostr-iko hfiqsheets. I

7 heavy b1oWs, preferably: alon the: vertical: edges f he S eets" in.order; set the restored metal. I

n p e en t rom buckling out: resiliently into. the u e ithad assumed.

It: w l be noted that the construction with reference to the variousvpinsemployed provide-tor double shear re stance and in some cases: quad-I rupleshearresistance on-thepins. where. the same are used in: pairs.

To aliix thedevice to-a bulged onbentend of acar, the coupler knuckle.(not shown): is. re

moved. Theknuckle pin- 34 isthen applied-to the top lug in the; couplerandzthen through the 1 hole 40 in the h0ldingbar. 39 and thenithrough; vthebottom knuckle pin hole inthecoupler. The.

oth r end of the p lor; holding" bar 39s. is. ad justed; in the jack nghead and is: affixed. by; the

' pin 48. Thischangesthe distancesbetweenthe fulcrum and the; apex wherethe power is" applied. I The jack or other instrumcntality is-now;operated to 1i ft.the;.-1 0lding=bar 35; Thisjackin pressure causes a pl on. the bar tfizanda'pusha .ing.- moment onthe upper arms. Thelengthof;

the-bar 39 may be: adiustedby he 19111.48; and;

the lengths of the arms may also be;v adjusted by the use ofthepinsafiuandtlt. The1,arms=ma5a'bc.. raised or lowered so as to brlng:the shoes: at any 5 the use; of pinstfl.

gatedthe end walls on plates of thecar will tend. to: hold the shoesandanns against slipping or. sliding.1JA1so where two more of the armsare:

used, such. arms may logmovect together or apart a desired distance onthe swivelb'oltsiz; By.

hooking. the chains 81] and :8t together or by lengaging the links ofthe chains inthe slots of the: lugs 64. such chains to, B l may acttox-prevent the amnsfrom spreading aulsldar the reaction-of the. immenseforce applied. g

It will be found more convenient to provide the socket 46 at the bottom.of the jacking head as it tends to maintain the jack upright andprevents tilting. or slipping out from the device but it not essential,It makes for a substantial margin of safetyl The device is applicable toany type of'freight car and enables the: sheets to be straightened andrestored tonormal or original position without.

removing any of the damaged-parts or car lining as the pressure arms canbe moved and applied at any external point where needed."

. The device is so. powerful that it is not necessary to unload a car asthe applied pressure will develop sufiicientlyto move in: the ladingalong with the bulged sheets. It savesxtime to be able torepairdamagewithout unloading the car and without having to gain accessto the interior of the. car. Moreover the loadin the car serves toprevent the carfrom rising \ofi itsv trucks when th pressure. isapplied. Thedevice can be used inv adjusting ladingz that has shiftedover ends of the car such as lumber; stonapoles, etc;

Figure 16shows the lower side 98 of. the triangle at. its left. end.pulled slightly away from the surface of the. work: 99 which: indicatesthat this fulcrum. point is ais'hifting'. one due to the outwardmovement of the coupler head incident to the compressing. of the couplerspring. However in those instances in whichthe lowerside" of thetriangle is connected to a. non-shifting anchor,

as to the car bolster, angle iron or the like, the

lower side member: 98 will not be permitted-toshift outward, or in: thedirection to' the rightv viewed. in Figure 16, but this: lower'side 98willlift or pivot. upwardly'whileithe. motion of translation willalldevolve-1 upon-the other side member 91-; forcing ittowa'rd' the leftinto the work 99.

Referring more particularly to Figures 17-; 18 and 19, a modified form.of. jacking head 42 is shown on. which sockets 84' are provided," such'sockets upstanding. item the lacking head and being formed integraltherewith or separately and united to the jacking head in anyconvenientmanner; These sockets.- cooperate with ballrheads 85 on the lower endsof the. external armstl in order thatzthepressure or'straightening orbending, arms will have a: substantially universal movement. on thejacking head 42%. For convenience the ball headstifi; may be cast orotherwise produced. upon' plugs or. fillers '59 removably secured: intheends of the armslil as by Wherethejacking heads ings,theseuniversal.joints-of the balland socket:

type are: of more:economical-construction than" the swivel bolts 52' ofFigures-'5': and 6.

The jacking head 42 carries a u -bolt. 8.6 or

other form of eye by which the jacking-head cz 'may b lifted fromabove-ass by the use. of a, cranehookingintdt-heveye 8.6T; In otherwords the liftingforcesmay badeyelopedby-a jack below ona crane; abovetheijacklnghead:

are made from castamnesia? I In the former jacking head 42* the throughslot 43 will beat circular cross section, for which see Figurel9, inorder to m'ate with theuround bar cross section of the holding 'ortension bar 39 which is of a pipe construction having the pairs ofspacedperforations 4| through its upper and lower walls to receive the pin 48which also passes through openings in the jacking head similar to theopenings 44 shown in Figure 3. I

Referring more particularly to Figures 20 and 21, thesefigures show thechains 80 and 8liwhich are anchored to the external arms 6| by weldingor otherwise preferably at thelower portions of such external arms.These chainsare' crossed and extended over the upper sides of thecompanion external arms 6i where links 80% and 81?, vertically disposed,are slipped down through the slots 65 of the lugs 64, the adjacent links80 and 8| horizontally arranged; are widerthan the slots 65 andtherefore abut against the outer sides of the lugs 64 and prevent thechainpulling through the slots 65. In thisinstance the doubled chainties the two compression or'straightening arms together and results indouble strength of chain against 'spreadingof thearms Bl. M I Referringmore particularlyto- Figure 22, the

jacking head 42? is formed with a rounded socket 8lto receive a'ballhead88 onthe upper end of r the jack; This will give a universalmovement between the jackand the jacking head, will enable these twoparts to fit adequately together throughout all contacting face: areasand will thus enable the jacking head tooppose any tilting movement'ofthe jack and to preventthe jack from falling over. 0 I 0 Referring moreparticularly'to Figures 23 and 24, these figures show a device foroperating upon the side of car indicatedat 90, and for thls purpose theside sill or-channel BI is used forformingtheanchorage for-theadjustable spacing bar 39. A clamp 92 is constructed and arranged tograbthe side sill channel along its. lower flange, this clamp having oneor more set screws 93 to engage beneath such lower flange. A pin 94functioning as thefknuckle pin of Figure l passes through the eye'40' oftheholding or spacing bar 39 and-through the"shank'of the clamp 92 toloosely holdthe bar 39 at a fulcrum point on the car. This method ofapplication to thework applies alsoto crossmembers nor to center sillsor to body bolstersor any other part of the car or trucks. The pin 94also passes through an from with a flat perforated end I 0| throughwhich removably engages 1a substantiallyhorir zontal pin I02; This pinI02 also passes through I both legs of a U-shaped yoke I03 having averytical height which will correspond substantially to the verticalheight of the knuckle pin34 lying I between the upperand lower lugs ofthe'couplerf head'33. wTo apply this modificationtothe coupler, the pin34 would be lifted out, the knuckle set aside, the yoke I03 slipped intoplace and the coupler pin 34 dropped so that it'engages within the bightof the U-Shabed yoke 103 in the manner indicated in Figures 25 and 26;This I yoke I03 will preventshifting of the inner-end of the spacing bar39 -vertically upand down on thecoupler pin 34 and will prevent'anysud;I denor quick movements of the spacing bar up external arms fil may bereinforced by plugs, fillers, Orthe like; either solid or-tubular, asin- J dicatedat I04 and-the compositeends of the arm; and fillerare'peened over and welded as indicatedat l05 'into asubstantiallyglobular form or'part spherical form to constitutethe ball:

' headforcooperating with the sockets 84 as shown offset portion oiledge95forged or cast with the I clamp 92 or carried thereben'eath in spacedrelation to the shank of the clamp to accommodate the end of the'spacingtbarflll" between such shank and the ofiset p'art 95'; 'theoffset part 95 serving to support the end'Of the spacing-bar 39; A chainor chains may-be substituted for the bar 39, in which" caseone end-maybe welded to the jacking head and the other endwrapped around thecoupler shank'or hooked on to the side or center sill of the car or toother desired anchorage points.

I The hooks82 and Bil-may be hooked in links of the chains BI and 80wherel'the pressure arms are spread far apart. I I

'I'he device is applicable toplain, corrugated, embossed, woodenor-other ends offcars, to ships" plates and other uses.

Referring more particularlytoFigures 25 and 26, 39 illustrates thetension or holding bar,

also referred to as' the spacing bar which is of form of ball head"construction.

in Figures '17 and 18. This is acheap and strong:

flt is obvious that various changes and rh'o'di iiettionskrhay be madein thejdetails' ofcon struction and design' of the abofve' specificallyde-f scribed embodiment of thisinventionwithout de garurrgrmmhe spiritthereof ,such changes and oft e following cla ims What is claimed is?modifications being restricted only j byij the 1. A device: of thecharacter sesc itedcorriprislg; ingja' jackinghead,havinggmeans whereby.the

same may be forcibly lifted and also having'ga). slotandupstandingflsockets, a spacing bar slidablethroughsaidjvslot, means toadjustably fix saidlfbar in the head m eans to fuldrurn thebar;

tothe' work, and straightening armsh'aving ends engaged against the workand ends with balls:

toj'universallyengage in said socketsil v device for straighteningv thebulged sheets of railroad cars comprising elongated upperkand lowermembers meetingin an acute angle "with the apex spaced from the sheetwith the free end of the upper member engaging said sheet, means; Iflexibly anchoring the free end of the lower member to the car with saidlower elongated member extending out at substantially right angles tothe plane of the sheet, a jacking head 10- cated at said apex forconnecting said members together-, said. jacking head having r slidablemovement on said, lower member, means to se-s curethe jacking headfixedly in adjustedlposition on-said lowermember, a socket onsaid jack-I ing head, said'upper member having a ball end portion fitting foruniversal movement in said socket; said jacking headthaving means tore-" ceive movableipower means applied1 to move said tubularconstruction'h'aving at one'end a filling or plug-I00, havinga shankprojecting thereja'c'king head in adirection substantially parallel tothe plane of the work to cause a tiltingsmovea ment of said-jackinghead. and connected mem-J member tomove against the work. i

- 5. A devicefior straighteningthe bulged sheets bers whereby to causeireeqend' of the upper 3; A device "for straightening the bulged sheetsoirailroad cars and the like comprising upper" andlower elongatedmembers meeting in an. acute angle with. the apex spaced irom thesheetand with the free end of the upper member engaging the sheet,.means flexibly anchoring the free end of said lower member to the car.and a jacking head located approximately at said apex for connectingsaid members together, means between said. jacking head and upper memberfor connecting these two parts forsubstantial universal movement, saidjacking head slidable on said lower member and carrying with it saidupper-member to change the degree of the angle between the members forapplication of the free end of the upper member to selected. zones onthe sheet, means to secure the jacking head fixedly in adjusted positionon said lowermember, said jacking head constructed; and ar ranged. toreceive. power means whereby said jacking head is raised to cause saidmembers and jacking head as a unit toturn angularly about.

the connection with the-carto force the free end of said upper memberagainst the sheet;

4 A deviceforstraightening the bulged. sheets of railroadicars' and thelike comprising elon-- gated upper and lower members meeting in an acuteangle with the. apex spaced from the sheet and with the free end of theupper member adapted to engage against the sheet,.means flexand havingmeans to secure samein adjusted pos'iti'on" on said tension member, aplurality of elongated I compression arms having outer ends individuallypivoted in said jacking head for independent angular move1nentvwith'respect to said'jacking' head and to. one another, the free ends ofsaid elongated compression members adapted toengage against said. sheet,said jacking head adapted to receive power means to raise said jackingheadand to consequently rotate'all: of said members'and: jacking headabout the connection of the tension member with the carresulting in theiforcing. of. the free ends of the. compressionmeinber's against thesheet.

.7; A device ror'straightening' the bulged sheets of railroad cars andthe like comprising an elongated tension-memberahaving means tomovablyconnect an end portionthereol': with the car and. with themember-projecting outwardly from the sheet, a-jackinghead on. the outerportion ofsaid tension a plurality of compression: members mounted attheir outer end portionsiinsaid jackinghead for pivotal and independentvertical and. lateral angular movement,

, the inner free ends-of said compression members adapted to engageagainst the outwardly bulged sheet, said jacking head adapted to.receive power forlifting the same: to cause rotary'moveibly anchorin thefree endof the lower mem-.

her to. the car, a jacking head located approximately at said-apex forconnecting said members together, means between said jacking head andupper member for enabling vertical. and. lateral angular adjustment ofsaid upper member with respect to said jaclnng head, said jacking headhaving, slidable movement on said lower member to move inand. out withrespect to the sheetwherebyto bring, the free. end. of. said uppermember against the sheet irrespective of its. vertical or lateralangular adjustment in said Jacking. hcad,'means. to secure said jackinghead fixedly in adjusted position on said member. said jacking; head.adapted to receive power means to lift the jacking head and cause saidmembers to tion of the lower member withthe car resultingv in theforcing of the free ends of said upper member against the sheet.

oi railroad cars and the like comprising elongated upper and lowermembers meeting, in an acute angle with. the. apex spaced from the sheetexecute. a turning movement about the connec- Y and with the free end ofthe upper member engaging said sheet, means flexibly anchoring the freeend of the lower member to the car, a jaoking, head locatedapproximately at said apex for connecting said members together, meansconnecting said upper member to said jacking head for relativelyadjustable angular'movement; said jacking head adapted to receivepowenmeans for raising the jacking head and simultaneously" rmposingon-said upper and'lower members a turning movement about the connectionof the lower member with the car to drive the free endcf said uppermember forcibly against the sheet.

6. A deviee for straightening the. bulgedsheets of railroad cars and thelike comprising an clon gated tension member adapted to: be: movablyconnected to-the; car and toextend outwardly from the sheet, a. jackinghead slidably mounted.

upon the outer portion; of; said tension member mentsaid members abouttheconnection or the tension member with the car resulting in thethrust. of. thefree ends of. the compression members against the sheath8.. A: device for straightening the bulged sheets of railroadcarsiandthe like comprising an elongated tension member having means tomovably connectanend portion thereof with the car and "with the memberprojecting outwardly from the sheet,. a jacking. head. on the outerportion of said tension member, and. a plurality of compression membersmounted at'their outer end portions: in saidjacking head tor pivotal andindependent verticakand lateral angular movement, the inner free-ends ofsaid compression members adapted to; engage against the outwardlybulged'sheet; said jacking head adapted to receivepower meansfor liftingthe same to. cause rotary movement inallsaaidl members about theconnection ot the. tension member with the car resulting in. the thrustof, the tree ends of. the compression members, against the sheet, andadjustable flexible-means coupled between said compression members: at;their inner free portions to prevent spreading of said members from therelative angular position at which they are I 9.,A device forstraightening the bulged sheets of; railroad cars. and: thelike-comprising an elongated. tension member having means to movablyconnect anendportion thereof with. the car and with the memberprojecting. outwardly from the sheet, a. jacking head on the: outerportion. of said tension member, a pluralityof compressionmembersmounted at their: outer end portions in: said jacking head for pivotaland independent vertical and lateral. angular movement; the inner freeends: of said compression: members adapted to engage against theoutwardlybulgedi sheet,v said jacking head adapted tdreceive power meansfor the: same to cause rotary movement in all said members about the.connection of the tension. member with: the car resulting in the thrustof. the-. firee ends of the compression. members against the sheet, saidcompression members each: comprising, extensible members for varyingthe. overall length of said compression.v member,

and means to fix said extensible members in a selected position ofrelative adjustment.

l0.'A device for straightening the bulged sheets of railroad cars andthe like comprising elongated tension means having at its inner endportion a flexible connection with the car, elongated compression meanshaving its free inner end adapted to engage the bulged sheet and withits outer end portion inclining outwardly toward the tension means, andjacking means for uniting said tension and compression means in acutelyangled relationship at their outer end portions for permitting angularadjustment of said compression with respect to said tension means, saidjacking means adapted to receive power means for raising the jackingmeans to rotate the tension and compression means about the connectionwith the car to cause said compression means to exert thrust against thebulged sheet.

11. A device for straightening the bulged sheets of railroad cars andthe like comprising a jacking head, tension and compression mem bersmeeting at an acute angle at the jacking head with their opposite endshaving a tri-point contact with the car to hold the jacking head invertical alignment, said jacking head constructed and arranged toreceive power means for exerting an upward movement on the jacking headto apply pressure against the sheet to straighten the bulged portions ofthe same.

12. A device for straightening the bulged sheets of railroad cars andthe like comprising a jacking head, tension and compression meansmeeting at an acute angle at said jacking head with their opposite endsforming a three-point contact with the car for holding the car againstmovement and contacting the bulged portion of the sheet, saidthree-point contact acting to hold the jacking head in verticalalignment and preventing lateral movement of the jacking head when thepower is applied; said jacking head; constructed and arranged to receivepower means for lifting the jacking head to apply pressure against thesheetto straighten the bulgedportion of the same. i

V POSY G. STULTZ.

